2000 Audi A6 from North America - Comments

I purchased this car in the spring of 2003. I bought it out of province, so when I brought it back home, I was required to have an out of province inspection done so that I could register it. I brought it to the local Audi dealership, and this is when the fun began.

I quickly learned I required 2 O2 sensors, a new sway bar, new front rotors, new tires, and some work done to the turbo. $1700.00 later (2 days after dropping a bundle on this car) plus another $1200.00 for some new rubber, I thought I was set.

The problems did not stop after this. The notorious orange "Check Engine" light came on regularly. This must have happened 3 times in 6 months. (I believe a green "$" light instead would be more appropriate!) When I brought it in for service, I was informed it was the torque converter that needed replacement. I was lucky the third party warranty package I had purchased for almost $4000.00 covered this.

At 96000 km, the car started leaking oil. At this point I stopped going to the Audi dealership and began taking the car to a local German car specialist. There were too many problems to list; however, they included the "vanos gasket" (I'm probably spelling this wrong) which required the engine to be pulled. I had the timing belt and water pump replaced at this time also. Some of it was covered under the third party warranty, and about $2700.00 came out of my own pocket.

Other issues included the red LED display pixels in the instrument cluster fading and becoming hard to read (replaced under the third party warranty) and the driver's side door hinge becoming weak thus not allowing the door to close properly. (I paid for this.)

One of the catalytic converters was also replaced under Audi's extended warranty.

I am also on my third set of front rotors, which I believe is far too premature.

Other issues include the sun roof failing this past summer (would not close). I manually got it to close, however now I cannot use it. There is a small switch that allows the alarm to be disabled when the doors are locked and someone (such as children) is in the car. This too, all of a sudden failed.

A month ago I had another engine leak. In the shop again for a week, this time with no warranty. A new head gasket and cam seal were amongst the problems setting me back $1755.00 plus another $50.00 a day for a rental.

Now for the big one. Last week I noticed that when I shift the car into reverse (automatic transmission) it will back up, but "chatters". When I step on the gas in reverse, the car revs, but does not back up the way it should. It feels as if something is slipping and not grabbing. I found out today that I require a new transmission to the tune of $8300.00 installed. I could opt for a re-built transmission for $6000.00, however with only a 3 month warranty. I am now at odds and contemplating what to do. The car is beautiful and looks and handles like it's new. I want to repair it, but this new transmission dilemma is the straw that broke the camels back.

This is a beautiful looking car inside and out. The quality and craftsmanship of the body and interior are worth the price you pay for a car such as this.

The handling and performance are also second to none, and for an 8 year old car, it is as tight and looks as good as when it was new. I run studded snow tires in the winter, and this car handles like its on rails with them in the snowy and icy months.

Mechanically though, this car has been a money pit and a lemon. The initial price of buying this car was one thing; the unanticipated repair bills that have drained me over the past 4 years is another. Make sure you have a fat wallet to be able to support driving this car.

Maybe its just US Audis, that have all these problems, I and many of my friends have had Audi's for years, and they have been ultra reliable, mind you, we do maintain our cars.

Make sure you stick a your maintenance schedule, and you will have a lot less problems to worry about :)

It really might be US specific (although seems really improbable). Nevertheless, you really shouldn't buy a car before having it checked technically. I'm sure the guy who sold it to you was really happy to get that lemon off his hands.